Robert Carradine, the actor known for his roles in Lizzie McGuire and the Revenge of the Nerds franchise, has died at 71 following a “valiant struggle” with bipolar disorder, according to his family.
Deadline reported on Monday, Feb. 23 that he took his own life. Carradine’s family released a statement to the outlet writing, “It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away.”
It continued, “In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon on light to everyone around him,” the statement continued. “We are bereft at the loss of this beautiful soul and want to acknowledge Bobby’s valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with Bipolar Disorder. We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness. At this time we ask for the privacy to grieve this unfathomable loss. With gratitude for your understanding and compassion.”The actor debuted onscreen opposite of John Wayne in The Cowboys in 1972.
He went on to appear in Martin Scorsese’s mafia crime drama Mean Streets in 1973, and in Hal Ashby’s Oscar-winning film Coming Home in 1978 with Jane Fonda and Jon Voight. The war drama-romance largely focused on the lasting impacts of the Vietnam War on veterans.
